Stuart, 34, appeared in 61 games for the Sharks last year, scoring three goals and 11 points while averaging 19:10 TOI per game. He’s heading into the last of a three-year, $10.8M deal with a $3.6 million cap hit and, because he had a limited no-trade clause, had to sign off on this move to Colorado.

That’s interesting, because Stuart has some big-time history with the Avs. During the lockout-shortened ’13 campaign, Stuart knocked Colorado captain Gabriel Landeskog out of action with a massive hit. Stuart wasn’t fined or suspended for the hit but did draw the Avalanche’s ire.

He’s got to be a little ticked that he got traded. Even with the modified NTC. He was very clear when he left the Wings that he wanted to play in Cali and mainly SJ since his family lives there while he plays. I know that CO is a good place to be, but a bit of a dig on Stuart after only wanting to play in SJ.

I liked having Brad back as a Shark and I’m not too happy about this move, unless DW has something up his sleeve to pick up another stay-at-home defensive defenseman. Change for change’s sake is not what I’m looking for.